Camping sites near Delmar, New York typically receive between 37-43 inches of precipitation annually, with most sites situated between 200-1,400 feet elevation. Summer temperatures range from 50-85°F with cooler nights at higher elevations. The camping season typically extends from late April through mid-October, with peak occupancy occurring during July and August weekends.
What to do
Water activities at Thompson's Lake: Swimming and boating are popular at Thompson's Lake Campground — Thacher State Park, where kayak and boat rentals are available. "They have a great beach with swimming, kayak and boat rentals, a nature center next door you can walk too," notes Sabrina H.
Hiking trail access: Several campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. At Cherry Plain State Park Campground, "Hiking trails are accessible from the park," according to Yoni N., who appreciated the park's layout where "a number of 'walk in' sites that are all lovely."
Fishing opportunities: Most area campgrounds permit fishing, with Cherry Plain offering pond fishing. One camper noted, "Their is water and electricity at bathroom," making it convenient to clean catches or charge devices. The small ponds provide good catch rates for bass and sunfish.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention appreciating space between sites at Schodack Island State Park Campground. "The state did an excellent job designing sites with dense foliage as sound and site barriers creating good privacy for campers," notes Kevin C., who also appreciated that "sites are all within 200 feet of the bathrooms."
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness receives frequent praise. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, Rebecca L. found that "the bathhouse was incredibly clean. Showers were great." She added that the owner "welcomed me with open arms when I arrived and I can tell she takes a lot of pride in her job and in her campground."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer good wildlife observation opportunities. At Schodack Island, Kara W. reported seeing "lots of bunnies, weasels, chipmunks, birds, and butterflies," while at Cherry Plain, the lakeside positioning allows for waterfowl watching, particularly during morning hours.
What you should know
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies widely between campgrounds. At Schodack Island, Kara W. reported, "ATT and Verizon fluctuate between 1-3 bars. It was enough for me to work - downloading files, sending emails, and conducting non-video zoom calls."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. Sites with water views book fastest, often 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends.
Pet documentation: Some campgrounds strictly enforce vaccination requirements. At Schodack Island, campers are warned to "be sure to bring your dogs rabies records!! They don't let you in with just the tag, it has to be the paper records."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences rapid weather changes. At North-South Lake Campground, summer thunderstorms can develop quickly. As one camper noted, "Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," as rainy holiday weekends can become particularly challenging with limited indoor space.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. At Arrowhead Marina & RV Park, families appreciate the "shady, grassy areas" and riverside location, which one camper described as "a perfect campground" for families seeking water access.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning activities for children. At Thompson's Lake, Dana O. notes, "This campground has always been my go to. Now that I have kids, I appreciate the playground area near the beach more."
Site selection for families: Choose sites away from water for young children. At Cherry Plain, Christine J. recommends "the loop of sites near the entrance near the water for views but close to the bathroom, ranger station, and trails. Farther from the beach so there is less impact from the day visitors."
Quieter weekday visits: For families with noise-sensitive children, weekday camping provides a more peaceful experience. Nicole P. observed at Mt. Greylock that it was "a very quiet campground during the week. However...when Friday came and the weekend campers arrived, it got loud and rowdy."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. At Dingman's Family Campground, sites vary in levelness, with Dan M. noting it's "definitely family oriented in the warmer months, lots of families with young children, so can be very loud."
Power availability: Electric hookups vary between 30-50 amp service depending on the campground. At Schodack Island, "RV sites offer 30/50 amp electricity," according to Kara W., who also noted the campground has "dump station on the way out" and "lots of water fill ups."
Site size considerations: RV length restrictions apply at most campgrounds. Kara W. found Schodack Island sites to be "amongst the most spacious I've ever seen," making them suitable for larger rigs.
